Haxby Road Factory

The expanding business required new premises as Joseph believed that his employees deserved the best working conditions. In 1890 29 acres of land off Haxby Road were acquired and a purpose-built factory was constructed, accommodating 4000 employees. Pioneering design and architecture approaches were used in the construction, including an innovative concrete system of building. It was served by a private railway line and had extensive dining and welfare facilities, a library and a gymnasium. This industrial complex became known as the ‘Cocoa Works’. Today Nestle, who acquired Rowntree Mackintosh Ltd in 1988 still occupy part of the site. Some of the original buildings have recently been converted into apartments by Latimer, the development arm of Clarion Housing – a social business.

Image from originals held at the Borthwick Institute for Archives.